Yesterday we brought you the story regarding a recent poll conducted by The Sporting News where they asked 103 NFL players a variety of questions, one of which was to name the league’s most overrated coach. In a shock to just about no one, Jets head coach Rex Ryan was the clear cut “winner” after being chosen by 35 of the players polled.

It’s no easy feat to accept the fact that a great number of people in the same employment as you—albeit in an altogether different capacity—consider you to be highly overrated. When asked what he thought of the Sporting News’ poll, Ryan responded with humor, aplomb, and dare I say it, class.

“My first thought was I looked and saw who was second,” Ryan said on Wednesday. “Hey, I finally beat Belichick. I got him. I knew it would take time, but I finally got him.” “Like it hasn’t been a tough enough year,” Ryan cracked. “Nah, I wasn’t offended by it. At the end of the year, we’ll see who’s overrated.”

“If you look at it and (ask) the same players who they want to play for, I’ll probably end up where I always am… right at the top with Tomlin. It’s either me or Mike Tomlin, 1 or 2,” Ryan said. “I don’t think that will change. As long as they want to come here and play and I’m overrated, that’s fine. But I want them to want to come here and play.”

I’m no fan of Ryan or his coaching prowess, but even I have to admit that was a pretty epic comeback, especially the line about Belichick. Good for him that he has such a terrific sense of humor seeing that it’s already been a long, difficult season in New York and we’re only at the halfway mark…he’s going to need it.